BLM's $545K Seed Buy for FY26 Faces Competition Concerns Amidst Fixed Price Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $544,925 ($544.9K)

Contractor: Environmental Seeds West LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-03-02

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 81 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY

Place of Performance

Location: LEHI, UTAH County, UTAH, 84043

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $544,925 to ENVIRONMENTAL SEEDS WEST LLC for work described as: BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY Key points: 1. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans a $544,925 seed purchase for FY26. 2. Environmental Seeds West LLC is the identified contractor. 3. The contract uses a Firm Fixed Price structure. 4. Competition method is 'Full and Open', but specific details on price discovery are limited. 5. The contract duration is short, spanning March to May 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $544,925 appears moderate for a consolidated seed buy. Benchmarking against similar large-scale seed procurement contracts would be necessary to assess pricing effectiveness, especially given the fixed-price nature which may limit upside for the government if market prices fluctuate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract is awarded under 'Full and Open Competition'. However, the limited data provided does not detail the number of bids received or the specific price discovery mechanisms employed. This lack of transparency could potentially impact the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this procurement. While competition is intended to ensure value, the specifics of the price discovery process will determine the ultimate efficiency of this spending.

Public Impact

Supports ecological restoration efforts by the BLM. Aims to procure necessary seeds for spring planting in Utah. The contract duration is limited to the spring season, suggesting a focused operational need. Potential impact on local seed suppliers if Environmental Seeds West LLC is not a local entity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited transparency on price discovery despite full and open competition.
Fixed price contract may not account for potential market price fluctuations.
Contract awarded to a single entity without clear justification for sole-source or limited competition.

Positive Signals

Procurement supports critical environmental restoration activities.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process to source goods.
Clear contract dates and duration.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls under the 'Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products' category, often associated with environmental management and restoration. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on geographic location, seed types, and project scale. The $544,925 value is moderate for a consolidated regional buy.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if Environmental Seeds West LLC is a small business or if opportunities were missed for small business set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance to ensure timely delivery of quality seeds and adherence to the fixed price. The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for this oversight, ensuring funds are used effectively for their intended environmental purposes.

Related Government Programs

Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Land Management Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detail on competitive bids received.
Potential for price variance with Firm Fixed Price contract.
No clear indication of small business participation.
Geographic specificity of the contract (Utah) may limit broader supplier engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $544,925 to ENVIRONMENTAL SEEDS WEST LLC. BLM FY26-1 SPRING CONSOLIDATED SEED BUY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL SEEDS WEST LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $544,925.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-02. End: 2026-05-22.

What was the competitive landscape for this seed procurement, and how did the 'Full and Open Competition' process ensure optimal value for the government?

While designated as 'Full and Open Competition', the provided data lacks details on the number of bids received and the evaluation criteria. Understanding the competitive intensity is crucial to confirming that the fixed price of $544,925 represents the best possible value. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively assess if taxpayers received optimal pricing or if further negotiation or a different competition strategy could have yielded better results.

What are the potential risks associated with the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract structure for this seed purchase, particularly concerning market volatility?

The Firm Fixed Price structure carries the risk that if market prices for seeds increase significantly between the contract award and delivery, the government may overpay relative to current market conditions. Conversely, if prices decrease, the contractor benefits. Given the short, specific timeframe (March-May 2026), the risk of extreme price volatility might be mitigated, but it remains a factor in assessing long-term value.

How effectively does this consolidated seed buy align with the Bureau of Land Management's broader ecological restoration goals and budget allocation?

This $544,925 contract directly supports BLM's ecological restoration mandate by procuring essential seeds for spring planting. Its effectiveness hinges on the quality and suitability of the seeds provided by Environmental Seeds West LLC and their successful use in restoration projects. Aligning this specific spend with the overall budget requires examining the BLM's total restoration funding and the strategic importance of this particular procurement within that larger context.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products › Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products

Product/Service Code: AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140L3726R0001

Offers Received: 17

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1697 W 2100 N, LEHI, UT, 84043

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $544,925

Exercised Options: $544,925

Current Obligation: $544,925

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline